Astros Face Braves in Crucial Series!
The Houston Astros are on the road again, this time facing the Atlanta Braves in a pivotal series with playoff implications looming large. After a tough series loss in Toronto, the Astros (79-68) have no time to rest as they head to Cobb County. This series marks the last non-AL West matchup for the Astros in the regular season.
The Braves, currently sitting at 65-81 and 4th in the NL East, are looking to play spoiler and potentially build momentum for the 2026 season after a disappointing 2025. They've struggled this year, a far cry from their hopes of a second World Series title in the 2020s. Injuries and inconsistent play have plagued their season, leading to a sell-off at the trade deadline.
Key Matchups and Players to Watch
The Astros are dealing with injuries to key players like Jeremy Pena, impacting their lineup depth. Carlos Correa, who rejoined the team in a blockbuster trade, is leading off and playing third base. Yordan Alvarez remains a major threat in the lineup.
For the Braves, first baseman Matt Olsen has been a consistent offensive force, leading the team in home runs (23), RBIs (83), batting average (.271), and OPS (.831). Drake Baldwin is expected to get significant playing time, batting cleanup, while Ha-Seong Kim has settled in at shortstop.
Pitching Matchups and What to Expect
The Astros' pitching rotation has been hit hard by injuries, with Luis Garcia and Spencer Arrighetti sidelined. JP France could be a potential starter for Friday's game. However, Saturday's game is set with RHP Hunter Brown (11-7, 2.25 ERA) taking the mound. Brown is having a stellar season and could be a Cy Young contender. A win on Saturday would give him a career-best 12 wins.
- Friday: TBD
- Saturday: RHP Hunter Brown (Astros)
- Sunday: TBD
The Astros need to secure this series to maintain their lead in the AL West, with crucial matchups against the Rangers and Mariners looming next week. Don't miss the action!